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Does dental filling last forever?

Looking for dental fillings in East Los Angeles? No and that's one of the reasons you should schedule a dental visit every 6 months for a dental check one The dental filling procedures are usually done to restore a damaged tooth caused by decay. Before the filling is added, the dentist begins by removing the decayed tooth and cleans the affected area. The most widely used filling materials are amalgam, composite resin, gold and porcelain. Gold fillings are highly durable and well-tolerated by the gum tissue. The filling is also long lasting and can last up to 20 years. Porcelain fillings, on the other hand, are great stain resisters and often match the color of the teeth. Porcelains are just as expensive as gold fillings.

Amalgam fillings are made from an alloy of metals such as zinc, silver and copper. The fillings are preferred because they are resistant to normal wear and fairly inexpensive compared to gold filings. Composite resins made from plastic materials are the least durable since they only last between 3 to 10 years. Before selecting the filling material, the dentist will first analyze the extent of the damage, the location of the filling tooth and the total cost of the procedure. Although most filings are designed to last many years, they do not last forever as most people believe.

Because of the wear, it is important to schedule periodical visits to your nearest East Los Angeles dental office. Most dentists recommend a visit every 6 months or twice a year. During the filling session, a local anesthesia will numb the affected area before the dentist cuts through the enamel using a special dental drill. Once the decay is removed, the space is shaped and filled with appropriate filling. For a bonded filling, the dentist will apply an etching acid followed by the filling. A bright light is often used to harden the resin fillings. The last dental care process is tooth polishing.